The Bible tells us that fathers are to be providers. If he fails to provide, he is worse than an infidel (I Tim. 5:8). Infidels give their sons stones when they ask for bread. The world is replete with false fathers and imitation versions of fathers.
The father famine in our society grows with each passing day. The economy suffers because fathers do not train sons and daughters to be productive stewards of the happy grain offerings. Instead, they leave the house of bread (Bethlehem) to the house of misery (Moab).
There is a need for godly fathers who know their roles as providers in the home; who don’t offer cheap substitutes for real provision or entertainment without love or goods without grace. Fatherhood is deeply trinitarian because it is an overflow of the love of the Father for the Son.
Fatherhood gives true bread and never confuses false loves for the bread of life. Far from a flawless father, the good father is familiar with repentance. He gives bread because Bread saved him. He gives life because the manna from heaven was not stingy in giving of himself, but gave himself body and soul as broken bread to the world.
Fathers, to give your children bread is to give them of yourselves. Nothing else will cure the father famine in our culture. Fatherhood gives because he has received much and to whom much is given much is required.
Happy Father’s Day! Be wise, men! Love your children and those under your fatherly care the everlasting bread so they may never hunger again.
Fatherhood and the Gift of Bread
